Who Is The Monster In Othello's Jealousy

The Green-Eyed Monster

In Shakespeare’s dynamic play, Othello, the character Iago describes jealousy as “the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on,” (Othello, 3.3 170-172). Another’s accomplishments can leave a person feeling unsatisfactory or unachieved. No one person is unaware or unfamiliarized with the feeling of the green-eyed, monster jealousy that Iago referred to. Jealousy is an easy fire to fuel that leaves no person unharmed at some point in their life. Like a fire, jealousy can quickly consume a person's life causing complete turmoil. Jealousy in the least of it’s effects can leave someone feeling less than adequate or discouraged; however, it often results in a greater damage. Envy has an unstable affect on the

Jealousy is like an infection, and if not addressed it can quickly grow and spread. As soon as someone becomes jealous they become vulnerable to it’s effects. It then can consume one’s life, making not thinking about what caused their jealousy difficult. It becomes a huge distraction, making one’s priorities blurred. In the play, Shakespeare used Othello to demonstrate this phenomenon. After Iago reveals that there may be some relationship between Desdemona and Cassio, Othello becomes obsessed with the topic. Although Iago was lying, Othello’s jealousy blinded him from the truth. Jealousy attacks one’s insecurities making moving on or ignoring jealousy difficult. After hearing what Iago said, Othello felt insecure about his relationship and demanded more information. His jealousy consumed his life. Iago also fell victim to jealousy and let it consume his life. The entirety of the play, Othello, follows the path of Iago’s jealousy proving jealousy’s consuming nature. Combating his jealousy became his number one priority which led to him hurting many people, including Roderigo, Cassio, Othello, and Desdemona, over an extended period of time. Jealousy is easily spread and can consume the lives of its